India is a land of festivals, where people from different religions coexist harmoniously. The wide variety of festivals celebrated in India is a true manifestation of its rich culture and traditions. There are many Indian festivals and celebrations, the most exciting of which are mentioned below. While the celebrations happen all over the year, October till January is the time when the country can be seen at its vibrant best.
List of Indian Festivals: The widely celebrated religious festivals in the country
Here is a quick list of the most famous festivals of India. Check out these types of festival before you visit the
best places of Indian cultural heritage to attend the grand celebrations of these festivals.
1. Diwali: The Grand Festival Of Lights
Diwali, one of the most prominent Hindu festivals of India, is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. During this festival of lights, houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves. People wear new clothes, participate in family puja, burst crackers, and share sweets with friends, families, and neighbors.
Diwali 2018: 7th November (Wednesday)
2. Holi: The Vibrant Festival Of Colours
Also known as the festival of colors, holi is one of the famous festivals of
India, celebrated with a lot of fervor across the country. On the eve of Holi, people make huge Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it. On the day of Holi, people gather in open areas and apply dry and wet colors of multiple hues to each other, with some carrying water guns and colored water filled balloons.
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Holi 2018: 2nd March (Friday)
3. Dussehra: Witness The Triumph Of Good Over Evil
Dussehra, also referred to asVijayadashami, is also among the most famous festivals of India. It is celebrated in different forms countrywide. Ramlila (enactment of scenes from Ramayana) is held everywhere for 10 days. It’s culminated with “Ravan Dahan” – the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran which is a real spectacle to see.
Dussehra 2018: 19th October (Friday)
4. Navratri: The Nine Days Of Fasting, Faith, And Devotion
Navratri festival is celebrated by all people throughout India in different ways. In Gujarat, it is a nine-day celebration of rejuvenating Garba nights and highly energetic Dandiya Raas dances. People are dressed in beautiful, colorful traditional clothes and the environment is very youthful and invigorating.
Navratri 2018: Begins on 9th October (10th Oct Wednesday to 18th Oct Thursday)
5. Durga Puja: Of Prosperity, Goodness, And Devotion
One of the important Hindu festivals of India, Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur by Bengalis, throughout the country. The 10 days of fast, feast, and worship of Goddess Durga are accompanied by cultural songs, dances, and dramas. Huge and beautiful Durga idols are made and placed in specially made artistic Pandals(canopies). People dress in traditional wear and go around the pandal – hopping, praying, and feasting.
Durga Puja 2018: Begins on 9th October (Friday)
6. Krishna Janmashtami: The Birth Of The Mighty & Mischievous
Janmashtami is again a beautiful one among the most important religious festivals of India. Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan are very popular. People fast throughout the day and break it with a special meal after dusk. Visiting temples, praying, dancing, and singing bhajans (hymns) at midnight is a part of the celebrations of the birth of Lord Krishna. Often, small children dress up like Lord Krishna on this day. Images and picturization of Krishna’s life story are depicted in the “jhankis” in temples.
Janmashtami 2018: 3rd September (Sunday)
7. Ganesh Chaturthi: Eleven Days Of Pampering Lord Ganesha!
Ganesh Chaturthi, another one of important Hindu religious festivals of India, is a 10-day affair of colorful festivities. Huge handcrafted Ganesh idols are installed in homes or outdoors, in public pandals. Pujas are performed in the morning and the evening. The last day is the day of Visarjan – immersion of an idol in a water body. Cultural activities of singing, dancing, and theater, and free medical and blood donation camps are held.
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: 13th September (Thursday)
8. Gurupurab: Religious Processions & Peaceful Hymns
On the most important Sikh festival of India, special assemblies on the lives and teachings of the gurus, and langars (community meals) are organized in the gurudwaras. Karah Prasad is distributed among all, and hymn chanting processions are held in the city. People light up their homes with lamps and candles and burst crackers to celebrate Gurpurab.
Gurupurab 2018: 5th January (Friday)
9. Raksha Bandhan: Strengthening The Bond Of Kinship
One of the famous festivals of India, Rakhi is celebrated among Hindu. Signifying the brother-sister bonding, during Rakhi, the sister performsAarti (prayer), applies tilak, and ties rakhi (a sacred thread) on the brother’s wrist wishing his well being. The brother, in return, vows to protect the sister. Another festival which has a strong similarity to Rakhi is Bhai Dooj which comes just after Diwali.
Rakshabandhan 2018: 26th August (Sunday)
10. Eid-Ul-Fitr: Sumptuous Buffets & Sweet Festivities
Eid is one of the major festivals of India for the Muslim community. People dress up in fineries, attend a special community prayer in the morning, visit friends, and relatives and exchange sweets. Children are given idi(money or gift) by elders.
Eid Ul Fitr 2018: 15th June (Friday)
11. Bihu: Dance, Music, And Laughter
Popular among the festivals of India celebrated in the North East, Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam. During the month-long celebrations, young men and women wear their traditional clothes and perform the Bihu dance in the village fields and courtyards. During Bihu celebrations in India, a community feast is held with a lot of fanfa
When: 14th or 15th April
Where: Celebrated by the Assamese diaspora around the world, espe
Bihu 2018: Begins on 14th April (Saturday)
12. Hemis: Soothing Chants And Colourful Costumes
Hemis, the two-day religious festival from Ladakh, is one of the most important festivals of India. It attracts a lot of locals and foreign tourists each year. The festivities include the Cham dance done by the priests to the tune of the traditional music of cymbals, drums, trumpets played by the monks. It’s among the most unique types of festival where the dancing priests dress up in elaborate brocade outfits and masks.
Where: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Hemis 2018: Begins on 23rd June (Saturday)
13. Onam: Welcoming The Mighty Mahabali
Onam is among the important festivals of India, wherein people wear traditional wear, adorn houses with Pookalam (floral designs), and prepare Onasadya (elaborate meal of about 13 dishes). Events such as Vallamkali (
snake boat race), Kaikottikali (clap dance),
Kathakali dance, and Pulikali procession (artists dressed and painted like tigers and hunters) are held.
Onam 2018: Begins on 15th August (Wednesday)
14. Pongal: Rich Rangolis And Sweet Savories
The four-day long harvest festival of South India is one of the most famous festivals of India. People prepare Pongal dish and wear their traditional attire. Celebrities include bonfires, dance, cattle races, sweets, and savories. The houses look resplendent with Kolam designs (traditional floral designs made with rice, colored powders, and flower petals)
When: 14th or 15th January
Where: Celebrated by Tamils all over India, primarily in Tamil Nadu
15. Christmas: Celebrating The Birth Of Jesus Christ
One of the most famous and awaited festival in the world, Christmas happens to be of sheer significance for elders and children alike. Everyone regardless of their religion wait for this day, children specifically for the surprise gifts from Santa. All the churches are lit up and decorated to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus.
Significance: Birthday of Lord Jesus
Christmas 2018: 25th December (Tuesday)
16. Easter: Celebrating The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ
Just like other festivals, Easter is also celebrated with much fervour and great religious solemnization in different parts of the country. Celebrated during Spring, Easter celebrations in India are distinguished by various colourful decorations, dance and plays, simmel and plum cakes, and bright lanterns adorning the streets.
Significance:Resurrection of Lord Jesus
Key attractions: Folk songs and dance, Easter eggs, cakes, chocolates, street decorations
Easter 2018: 1st April (Saturday)
Where: The festival is celebrated across India. The best places to celebrate Easter in India are Goa, Pondicherry, and Kerala.
17. Baisakhi: The Rich Traditions And Cultural Prosperity
Baisakhi is primarily a festival celebrated by the Sikh community of Punjab and those around the world. It celebrates the welcoming of the harvest season for the rabi crops. The Sikhs celebrate this festival with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm by performing local folk dances such as Giddha and Bhangra. The festival is of great religious significance in India as it marks the day when the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, laid out the foundation stone for the Panth Khalsa-the Order back in 1699.
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